Daily Lesson from Life 25 August 2008

"Mon, Aug 25, 2008 The Straits Times

Open for demos next week

The change, starting on Sept 1, marks the eighth anniversary of Hong Lim Park turning into a soapbox for Singaporeans, and now evolving into a protest park.


They can do so around the clock, lifting the current ban on speaking from 7pm to 7am. But loudhailers will only be allowed from 9am to 10.30pm.


But law and order rules still apply. It means no lewd or violent visuals, and protesters must steer clear of race and religious issues."


This is uniquely Singapore. The Speaker Corner was created by the government for Singaporeans who had an issue or two to voice a stage to do it! It was not very successful as people found that anything political cleared of race and religions are still not very well received by the government. It is a total failure actually.

In this year National Day rally speech, the PM mentioned about the need to letting go of political control. Albeit slowly and in a controlled manner. Hence this conversion of Speakers Corner to Protest Corner!!

Lessons for me are:

1. leaders need to recognize the needs of the people to voice their opinions;

2. leaders can choose to agree or disagree with the voices of the people. When leaders disagreed, it is imperative that they explain clearly why they disagreed. If the people still resist or not convinced but the situation required decisive and strong action, the leaders just have to take actions and go!!;

3. to cultivate a new habit, it will take a consistent incentive and perseverance to see it through. It is like building the Great Wall of China, it will be 1-brick at a time and for many years and with many trials and tribulations. The best incentive of course is that given the freedom to speak freely we need to be mindful of the need to keep race and religion OUT！

Take care and have a great day.